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EXPERIMENT:1 DATE :
STUDY ON DIFFUSION OF DRUGS THROUGH VARIOUS POLYMERIC
MEMBRANES
1. Aim
To study the diffusion of a drug through different polymeric membranes and determine the rate of drug
diffusion.
2. Principle
Drug diffusion through polymer membranes follows Fick’s First Law of Diffusion, which states that the rate
of diffusion is proportional to the concentration gradient across the membrane.
J = -D (dC/dx)
Where:
J = Diffusion flux
D = Diffusion coefficient
dC/dx = Concentration gradient
Polymeric membranes act as barriers controlling drug movement from donor compartment to receptor
compartment.
Common polymer membranes used:
Cellophane membrane
Dialysis membrane
Cellulose acetate membrane
3. Materials Required
Drug
Example: Paracetamol / Salicylic acid
Polymeric Membranes
Cellophane membrane
Dialysis membrane
Cellulose acetate membrane
Chemicals
Phosphate buffer (pH 7.4)
Distilled water
Apparatus
Diffusion cell (Franz diffusion cell)
Magnetic stirrer
UV spectrophotometer
Beakers
Pipettes
Measuring cylinders
Thermometer
Stopwatch
4. Experimental Procedure
Step 1: Preparation of Membrane
1. Take the polymeric membrane (cellophane or dialysis membrane).
2. Soak the membrane in distilled water for 30 minutes to hydrate it.
3. Carefully remove air bubbles.
Step 2: Preparation of Drug Solution
1. Weigh accurate quantity of drug (e.g., 100 mg).
2. Dissolve in 100 ml phosphate buffer (pH 7.4).
3. Mix well to obtain a uniform drug solution.
Step 3: Assembly of Diffusion Cell
1. Place the polymeric membrane between donor and receptor compartments.
2. Ensure the membrane is tightly fixed without leakage.
3. Fill the receptor compartment with phosphate buffer.
4. Maintain temperature at 37°C to simulate body conditions.
Step 4: Addition of Drug Solution
1. Add drug solution into the donor compartment.
2. Start magnetic stirring in receptor compartment to maintain uniform concentration.
Step 5: Sampling
1. At regular time intervals (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 minutes) withdraw 5 ml sample from the receptor
compartment.
2. Replace with fresh buffer to maintain constant volume.
Step 6: Drug Analysis
1. Measure the absorbance of samples using UV spectrophotometer.
2. Determine the drug concentration using calibration curve.
5. Observation Table
Time (min) Absorbance Drug Concentration (µg/ml)
10 — —
20 — —
30 — —
40 — —
Time (min) Absorbance Drug Concentration (µg/ml)
50 — —
60 — —
6. Graph
Plot a graph between:
Cumulative amount of drug diffused vs Time
The slope of the graph gives the diffusion rate.
7. Result
The diffusion study showed that the drug diffuses through polymeric membranes at different rates depending
on membrane properties such as porosity, thickness, and permeability.
8. Applications
Controlled drug delivery systems
Transdermal drug delivery systems
Membrane permeability studies
Drug release studies
9. Precautions
Membrane should be properly hydrated.
Avoid air bubbles under membrane.
Maintain constant temperature (37°C).
Ensure tight assembly of diffusion cell.
Replace sampled volume with fresh buffer.